ISAIAH 55:3 - "David Removes A Stronghold"

"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;" (2 Cor 10:4) In 1 Samuel 17, we see the famous story of "David and Goliath"; for the most part we are all pretty much familiar with the basic storyline, and how David slew this giant; but today I wanted to concentrate on 'why'. Why did David feel so determined to go against this Philistine Giant? There had most likely been a couple years time pass, since David was Saul's Musician; in verse 15, it says that David had returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep; and then in verse 56, we see Saul ask whose son David was. So this would tell us that some time had passed, and that David had matured some; but he was still a youth, compared to the others that were at war; and especially compared to Saul and Goliath. David had been sent by his father to inquire about the welfare of his three eldest brothers. His father was getting quite old, and it may have been some time since he last saw them. As David was speaking to his brothers amongst the ranks of the Armies of Israel, he hears the words of Goliath from the valley below. Goliath had been taunting Israel for over 4o days, demanding to know why they had come out against the armies of the Philistines; that they would send out their champion to fight him; and that whom ever won, would be the other lands servants. Basically, what Goliath was doing, was challenging Israel to abandon their God; to send out someone to take him on, knowing that there was not much of a chance for a man to defeat him, and that their defeat would mean that they were to serve the Philistines. This was not the way things were meant to be for the children of Israel; God had sent them into the Promise Land, and they were to have defeated those that dwelt in the land, not become the servants of them. It says in verse 11: "When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid". David heard this ranting from the Philistine Giant, and instantly took notice; he actually stopped talking. I picture David stepping away from the conversation and walking out to get a real good look at this man that would even think about challenging the God of Israel. Then as David is gazing upon Goliath, those around him say: "Have you seen this man that is come up? Surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel". And David said, "What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the Living God? You have to understand something here; David was already thinking in his heart about taking Goliath on. He had made that determination as soon as he heard the rantings of Goliath; when David left from talking with his brothers, and stepped out to see the man who would dare say the things he was saying; at that point he had wanted to take him up on the challenge. When the others had started telling him about what King Saul would give to the man who would kill Goliath, it was like, "Bonus", and then David just had to convince the others that he could do it, especially King Saul. It really never entered into David's heart that he should not go against the giant; because as far as David was concerned, he would not be the one to defeat the giant, but that God would be doing the battle. As far as David was concerned, he was just a instrument for God to use; to destroy this stronghold that had caused the Armies of the Living God to tremble and fear about becoming servants of the Philistines. You can see this in his answer to his oldest brother, Eliab, as he scolded David for just wanting to come and watch the battle. David said: "What have I now done? Is there not a cause?". In other words: What is wrong with wanting to care about this matter? Shouldn't we all be concerned about what is going on here? Can't you see that this uncircumcised giant is challenging the Living God; who is the God that we serve; and is the same God that can, and will win the battle? This is the heart of a Warrior for God! He is constantly destroying any thought that comes out against what he knows is right, and of God... "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled." (2 Cor 10:5 & 6)